MANCHESTER, June 12: England captain Michael Vaughan praised his side’s character after their 60-run victory in the second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford here on Monday, saying they would learn more from a close win than their thrashing of the tourists at Headingley.

This win gave England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series, ahead of the final Test at the Riverside on Friday. It also saw Vaughan become England’s most successful Test captain with 21 wins in 35 matches, compared to Peter May’s 20 in 41 back in their 1950s and 1960s.However, after England’s innings and 283 run win at Headingley, West Indies' heaviest Test defeat, this latest win was no walkover.

The West Indies, set what would have been a Test fourth innings record of 455 to win, were bowled out for 394 shortly after lunch on the final day after Shivnarine Chanderpaul made a defiant 116 not out.

“I’m really proud of the team,” said Vaughan. “We’ve been asked a lot of questions, been asked to show character both as a team and individuals. These victories are more special because you know you've had to work very hard.

“The Headingley victories are nice but this one is a special one because we’ve know we’ve had to work hard for it.”

Vaughan’s preparations for this match were overshadowed by an interview he gave to The Guardian where he said Andrew Flintoff’s now infamous pedalo escapade at the World Cup had damaged the side’s morale.

Vaughan denied using the word ‘Fredalo’ during the interview but The Guardian subsequently published an audio tape where Vaughan used it twice.

—AFP